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So here we are; back to work, back into the full swing of things.Holidays are over, kids back to school.Did you manage to keep that relaxed holiday mood going?

Talking about that mood: last week I saw this video I'd like to share...

Whoaw!!! Beautiful moments to live, yet everybody seems to be totally caught up in...? Being in their head and 'busy-being'.It's like missing out on life!Not fully present. Not truly connected...Isn't that's the world 'inside-out'... Isn't that like not being fully alive.

And don't we all recognise...? Ouch! Whatever happened living life, like when in 'holiday mode'...?

This video made me wonder...HOW TO NOT GET SO COUGHT UP IN THE SWING OF THINGS?

In my opinion what is shown in the video is more about an attitude than about the phone in itself.The phone is not the 'bad guy'; it's merely us. The users. And what we do with it.So my answer on how to change that attitude would be..BEAUTY! NATURE! ART! The moodlab combines these three in art. On purpose.

WHY? HOW DOES ART HELP?*Art makes you 'feeeel' and lifts you out of the grey of the ordinary day. Art transports you into the now and makes you wonder & think.It triggers your imagination, but most of all; it makes you want to share that experience with others.It stimulates human connection and makes you feel connected.And in a less distant way than via the phone. It's a heart to heart connection.One of the most basic needs of people is to be recognised and acknowledged.That's exactly what happens in a heart to heart connection

*Art also helps you to get in the now.Being in the now, experiencing what is really around you brings more clarity and makes you feel 'alive'.It gets you out of the what I like to call 'Phantom mode', going from A to B without even realising where you are.Being in the now also gets you clarity of mind which makes it easier to come up with creative ideas or to make decisions.

*Art also makes you reflect on life and what really matters to you.What DOES really matter to you?Will you really remember that 'important email' or 'call' as you will that painting a year from now?

* Art inspires.Inspiration and imagination are the new currencies according to Sir Ken Robinson. They are much needed to get your creativity going, which is

And: if nature is not around the corner; art can bring nature to you!As I mentioned before: research has shown that seeing a photo of a tree/greens has the same soothing, calming effect as seeing an actual tree.Not bad!

So seeing art inspires, relaxes, makes you feel alive, creative and connected.Hold on to that state of relaxation, & connection, call your friends, turn off that phone and go see art!

Have fun and share what you did. Not only would I love to see, but it can inspire others as well!Niene.nu

You may absolutely share this article with people you think may enjoy it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including our contact and copyright information. Thanks and enjoy!

The latest focus for corporations and countries worldwide is 'how to create flourishing workplaces.'

Well.. HOW DO YOU CREATE FLOURISHING WORKPLACES?Press 'play', get Lynn Marino going and read on!

As the January 2012 edition of The Harvard business review stated in “The Value of Happiness – how employee well being drives profits”, making people happy, pays off when you have a business.

Most people/businesses focus on the rational side of things and analyze data until they weigh an ounce.But according to research 80% of our behaviour is determined by emotion and only 20% by rationality.

Conclusion:It makes sense to notice how you make people feel.People don't buy facts, they buy emotions.

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”~ Maya Angelou

As an example of the importance of feel good: In healthcare an elaborate study on pain relief proved that it's more relevant HOW a doctor injects pain-relief medication to reduce pain than WHAT he injects. Even if it is morphine...Isn't that remarkable?

SO HOW DO YOU MAKE PEOPLE FEEL?And how to go about if you want to make improvements?Is it just your tone of voice, gestures?It that all?

NOPE! IT'S SPACES!Spaces also have a huge impact on how you make people feel.Research has proven that adding in comfort, luxury & beauty, reduce stress and improves well-being.World wide many hospitals apply these facts and call it 'Healing Environments'.

In these 'Healing Environments' hospitals use art to add in beauty so that they can provide soothing spaces and improve well-being for their people.It's not just any picture that will do the trick, it is a special kind of art called 'Evidence Based Art'.Art that is made using data gained from research especially aiming to make you as a viewer feel good.

And not just any image will create that effect. If you'd like to see what images do:the Moodlab specialises in and provides people with more joy and 'Appetite for life' creating 'Evidence Based Art'. Look for examples HERE

It is a very useful way to enhance a space.Outlook on green has shown to reduces stress.Yet since not everybody always has the opportunity to do a total renovation, photo-art is an excellent quick and cheap alternative, since evidence based created images of green have the same effect as actual trees.

SO BEAUTY MATTERS!It means not only more relaxed people, but also less medication, patients that are easier to treat, more customer satisfaction and flourishing staff.Just think of the costs that would not only safe employers but our whole community!

And as said: well-being drives profits.It's a win-win.

I think ALL spaces could benefit, not just hospitals. Why would you want to wait until you get sick?If 'Evidence Based Art' reduces stress and improve well-being, why not implement it into offices? Joyful workplaces lead to better performance according to author and speaker Amanda Gore.And how about waiting rooms? Homes?Streets?

If you're still not convinced:A beautiful space is also a huge acknowledger. On a subliminal message you're telling your clients/patients/staff you care.And what all people want most in life is not happiness or money but to be acknowledged.That's also less destruction. The OOG-hospital in Rotterdam uses valet parking and luxurious furniture, besides art, to give their patients a sense of comfort and beauty. Experience tells them that people using the space take more care for their environment. There is no demolition of stuff. It triggers their sense of responsibility. People want to keep enjoying a beautiful environment.

So:Environments have a huge impact on how you feel.Yes: if the feeling doesn't come from the inside, you can use the outer world to trigger good feelings.Yes: this is a good idea!Yes: Evidence Based Photo-art will help you add in 'feel good' in an easy, cheaper and fun way.

So:Add in that beauty.Add in that art!

Niene.nu

You may absolutely share this article with people you think may enjoy it. When doing so, please forward it in its entirety, including our contact and copyright information. Thanks and enjoy!

ABOUT NIENE.NU

As an artist, change-agent, storyteller, trailblazer, imagineer & coach, project-geek, knowmad and teacher, but most of all photographer, with lots of Appetite for life (and light), Niene.nu helps you engage your senses, & "change coats."

In other words: she helps you get through change so you can live an authentic life bursting with beauty, energy, creativity, inspiration, fun and feel good vibe!

Reading this blog will get you started, but if you really wanna get into the laband see what Niene.nu can do for you?Become a MoodLab Member and get her free book on how beauty can enhance your (work-)life.